Yarn-tensioning device



A ri 1927.

P l A. WETZEL YARN TENSIONI-NG DEVICE Filed Oct. so. 1926 Patented Apr. 5. 1927.

' ulvi'rr STAT-ES nmvown'rznn, or MILWAUKE WISCONSIN.

PATENT oFFreE;

? 1 YAnN-TENsIon-me nEvrcE.

. Application filed 'Octoberfil), 1926. Serial No; 145,224.

y This invention relates to yarn tensioning devices, and isparticularly directed to yarn tensioning devices adapted for use on knitt'ingmachines, v

In'th'e yarn tensioning devices heretofore constructed for knitting machines, one very common form is that of a wick carried by a transverse bar on the nia'chmei and over which, the thread or yarn passes. The thread rubs against the wick and thus secures flil'l desired tension. These devices have beenround to give considerable trouble du'e v to th'e-'ra'pid wearing of'the wick and consequently its irregular action and short life.

This invention is designed to overcome the defects noted above and objects of" such invention new provide-a novel form of yarn tensioningeevice which may be clipped on totHejusuar-tmnsx rse bar found on knitting machines andwhic'h does not have the wear and -short-li-fe-o-f- -the usual types of devices,

su'ch'as discussed 'above, and which lasts indefinitely, and which applies in an automatic manner the-requisite tension upon the thread in a smooth and even'manner.

Further objects are to provide a device which is extremely simple in construction,

that the transverse bar 1 is of rectangular contour and supports thetensioning device. This tensioning device is made preferably of sheet metal and has an upper rounded portion 2 which fits over the upper portion of the bar and rests thereon. From this rounded portion, a pair of downwardly extending arms 3 projects. These arms are upturned as indicated at 4 and 5 on the front and rear sides of the device and are spaced from the rounded portion 2 and from the arms 3, as shown most clearly in Figure 1. The arm 4 carries a single porcelain eyelet 6 while the arm v5 carries a pair of porcelain eyelets 7. Obviously, if desired, more eyelets could be provided.

Adjacent each of the eyelets the sheet metal is outwardl struck, as indicated, ats,

and the outwardly bent arms'aor wire-levers or weighting members are pivotallycariied v beneath these outwardly struck portions. These wire levers consist of looped body portions '10 which are further looped or twistedto for an eyelet 11" at their extreme 7 ends. The construction ofthfese wi'1e' loops 0 1 levers is identical fOI 'thefifQ Iit and rear of the device except that'ifnthe' fbirhkshbtVh two are employed on the reararm 5, whereas one only; is employed on the trnaia'rm 4L;

' The thread 13 is 'leadi'upwardly from the levers or weighting members 10; througli the porcelain eyelets 7, over the "rour1'ded upper portion 2, through the rrentfporeelaineyelet '6, an'dthroufgh the "eyelet 1I ofthefroiit lever '01- vveighting member.

Iftwo threads are used, they are 'cornbiiijejd 0 1- employed in the manner shown in Figares'aanda, fromwvhichit'will'be seenthat the threads are individually tensioned and.

pass over the rounded portion 2 and thence outwardly through the eyelet 6 of porcelain and through the eyelet 11 of the front lever, The levers 10 place a slight tension on each of the threads and causes them to bind or bear against the rounded portion 2 with a uniform pressure, thus producing the necessar frictional drag or tension.

ny little irregularity in the rate of feed of the thread or variations of this type is compensated for by the swinging motion of the levers 10 so that sudden tension can not be placed upon the thread. i v

The rounded portion of the metalmember is smooth and does not cut or injure the thread in any manner and, consequently, provides a surface over which the threads may pass while they are held down against the surface by the action of the levers.

It will be seen, therefore, that applicant has provided a very simple yarn tensioning device particularly adapted for knitting machines or others of this type, which may be readily slipped over a supporting member, and which Will thereafter automatically hold itself in place by the inherent springiness of its gripping arms.

It will be seen further that the device provides for taking up a certain amount of slack in the thread however rapidly this slack may be formed or varied in the action of the machine and further it will be seen that the tension imposed upon the thread is of a uniform nature exactly suited to the needs of the machine.

It will be seen further that the device may be very cheaply made and readily applied.

Although the invention has been described in considerable detail, such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and as the scope of such invention is to be determined as claimed.

I claim:

1. A yarn tensioning device comprising a pair of arms adapted for positioning on opposite sides of a support, said arms being connected by an upper portion over which the yarn is adapted to pass, said arms having outwardly extending parts provided with eyelets through which the thread is passed, and having weighting levers pivotally mounted on the outwardly extending portions and bearing against said thread to hold said thread against the upper portion with a predetermined amount of pressure.

2. A yarn tensioning device comprising a sheet metal member having a rounded upper portion provided with downwardly extending gripping arms, said gripping arms having outwardly projecting arms, eyelets carried by said outwardly extending arms, small levers pivotally carried by said outwardly extending arms and having eyelets in. their outer ends.

3. A yarn tensioning device adapted to grip a supporting member. comprising a sheet metal structure having a rounded upper portion adapted for positioning over the supporting member and having downwardly extending spring arms adapted to grip opposite sides of the supporting member. said spring arms continuing outwardly and carrying porcelain eyelets through which the thread is passed. and U-shaped levers having outwardly turned trunnions pivotally carried by the arms and having eyelets at their free ends through which the thread is passed.

4. A yarn tensioning device comprising a member adapted to be carried by a support and having a smooth bearing face for the thread, said member having a pair of stationary eyelets through which the thread is passed and located on opposite sides of the bearing face, and levers pivotally carried by said member and adapted to press against said yarn to cause the yarn to slightly bind against the smooth bearing face.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand at Milwaukee. in the county of Milwaukee and State of Wisconsin.

ARNO WETZEL. 

